10. Treat yourself to a day spa once every two or three months – The soothing effects of a thorough pampering can do wonders for your sense of well being, while the expert provides you with cleansing alternatives that you may not have considered.

9. Stress is bad for you and worse for your skin. – Your body reacts when it’s under stress, and this can result in break outs or flare ups, so take care of your mental health to take care of your physical health.

8. Make sure that you get plenty of rest. – Your body needs proper rest to provide it with the tools and energy to fight off whatever is attacking it. Help your body win these battles by getting proper rest on a regular basis.

7. Don’t squeeze pimples, or pick at any sores. – Yes, this might give temporary and instant relief from small areas, but leaving the infected material on your skin can result in more pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads. If you absolutely have to squeeze one away, make sure you thoroughly wash the area and your hands to minimize the chances of contaminating other areas of your skin.

6. Don’t avoid the sun altogether – The sun is your friend, and in moderation can help you and your skin look great. The vitamin D that the sun provides you is good for your skin – as long as you remember to practice moderation. Hydrate yourself and your skin, use a balanced sun screen, and pay attention to the UV index to prevent damaging your skin.

5. Eat a well balanced diet – This doesn’t mean that certain foods are going to cause you to break out, but it is something to be aware of to help your body be prepared to fight the upcoming infected battles,

4. Hydrate the body – and the skin – with water – Get water in you on a regular basis, and give your body the building blocks to healthy skin

3. Keep your hair and hands off your face. Your hands and hair are covered in oil, which can transfer to your skin and result in blocked pores if you aren’t paying attention. Wash your hands regularly, and try not to rest your face in your hands.

2. Reduce the use of cosmetics as much as possible. You don’t need that much foundation to smooth out your skin. Find out what the least amount of makeup that you can wear and still be happy with your look. Think of how much money you can save by not buying so much makeup.

1. Wash your face twice each day – the fine folks at acneteam.com actually say to wash your face at least twice a day, but as we’ve said in previous articles here at clear.ca, twice a day should be adequate. If you are in an excessively greasy environment, then washing more than twice a day might be beneficial to you. But for most of us, a thorough clean with a mild cleanser is the right combination to minimize your breakouts. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find what the right combination is for you.

Print these guidelines off and post them by your bathroom mirrors. Use them as a guide to help you get clearer, healthier skin.